Pouch cleaning assembly for an aseptic filler

ABSTRACT

A pouch cleaning assembly that includes a treatment chamber and a guide assembly. The treatment chamber includes an elongated central channel extending therethrough. The guide assembly having a first side guide bar and a second side guide bar. The guide bars defining a channel therebetween that is structurally configured to facilitate the retention of spouts of a plurality of pouches in slidable engagement along the first and second guide bar. Any abutment of adjacent portions of the plurality of pouches within the treatment chamber define relative points of contact. The channel is positioned within the elongated central channel, wherein the channel is undulating in at least one of a vertical and a horizontal direction along the length thereof sufficient so as to substantially expose the relative points of contact between adjacent ones of the plurality of spouts so as to expose the same to the cleaning preparation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/860,695 filed Sep. 21, 2015, entitled “Pouch Cleaning Assembly for anAseptic Filler” the specification of which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 1. Field of the Disclosure

The disclosure relates in general to aseptic filling, and moreparticularly, to a pouch cleaning assembly for an aseptic filler.

2. Background Art

The filling of flexible packaging and pouches is known in the art.Generally, such filling occurs in an environment wherein the package ishandled, opened, filled and then recapped. As requirements have becomemore stringent, the prospect of aseptic filling of flowable material,namely foodstuffs, has become significantly more important.

Aseptic filling is the filling of a product, for example, a foodstuff,in a sterile container. With the product being sterile as well, thefoodstuff can keep for extended periods of time without the use ofpreservatives. Typically, such products are contained in flexible bags(as part of bag in box packaging) or in rigid packaging containers suchas blown polymer bottles, or cartons made from paperboard laminations.

Problematically, it has been difficult to utilize standup pouches withfitments in the aseptic filling process. In particular, such standuppouches tend to be difficult to sterilize and it has been costly toapply threaded closures to such packaging. Additionally, it has been achallenge to retain such pouches within cleaning equipment to achieveadequate cleaning of outside surfaces prior to insertion into an asepticfiller or the like. Indeed, a cost effective solution for asepticfilling of standup pouches having fitments has been a challenge.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure is directed to a pouch cleaning assembly comprising atreatment chamber and a guide assembly. The treatment chamber includesan elongated central channel extending therethrough. The guide assemblyincludes a first side guide bar and a second side guide bar. The guidebars defining a channel therebetween that is structurally configured tofacilitate the retention of spouts of a plurality of pouches in slidableengagement along the first and second guide bar, wherein any abutment ofadjacent portions of the plurality of pouches within the treatmentchamber define relative points of contact. The channel is positionedwithin the elongated central channel. The channel is undulating in atleast one of a vertical and a horizontal direction along the lengththereof sufficient so as to substantially expose the relative points ofcontact between adjacent ones of the plurality of spouts so as to exposethe same to the cleaning preparation.

In some configurations, the channel is undulating in a back and forthmanner, with the channel being substantially planar. In another suchconfiguration, the channel is defined by a plurality of linear segmentsthat are obliquely positioned relative to each other, with the linearsegments being substantially planar.

In some configurations, wherein the channel includes a substantiallyuniform width between a first end and a second end thereof.

In some configurations, the channel is undulating in an up and downmanner.

In some configurations, the pouch cleaning assembly further includes afirst elongated groove extending along a first side of the channel, anda second elongated groove extending along a second side of the channel.The first and second elongated grooves positioned so that a portion of aspout overlies the first and second elongated grooves as a spout travelsalong the channel. With such a configuration, cleaning fluid can bedirected at a underside surface of a spout that would otherwise begenerally inaccessible, but positioned within the aseptic zone.

In some configurations, the treatment chamber further comprises a baseand a surround. The base has the central channel defined therein and anupper surface. The surround includes an upper wall and opposingdepending sidewalls. The upper wall is spaced apart from the uppersurface, with the opposing depending sidewalls extending between theupper wall and the upper surface of the base. The base and the surrounddefining a cavity with the cavity having a first end and a second end.

In some configurations, the surround further includes at least oneopening configured to direct a cleaning preparation into the cavitydefined by the base and the surround.

In some configurations, the at least one opening comprises a pluralityof openings. Preferably, the plurality of openings are defined in theupper wall.

In some configurations, the first end and the second end of the surroundfurther include a wall extending between the surround and the base. Thesurround has a substantially uniform cross-sectional configuration.

In some configurations, a manifold is positioned between the surroundand the central channel, to, in turn, define a manifold cavity betweenthe manifold and the surround. The manifold has a plurality of openingsproviding fluid communication between the manifold cavity and thecentral channel.

In some configurations, the manifold further includes a top wall with afirst sidewall and a second sidewall depending from the top wall onopposing sides of the central channel. The sidewalls extending to theupper surface of the base. The plurality of openings are positioned ineach of the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

In some configurations, the manifold includes a first end that is spacedapart from the first end of the central channel, and a second end thatsubstantially corresponds to the second end of the central channel.

In some configurations, the manifold further includes a front wallsealingly coupling the first end of the manifold and the surround.

In some configurations, the treatment chamber is in positive flow.

In some configurations, the opening of the surround is positionedproximate the second end of the central channel. An outlet from thetreatment chamber being positioned proximate the first end of thecentral channel, so that the positive flow is directed primarily fromthe second end toward the first end.

In some configurations, the treatment chamber is in positive flow, withan outlet from the treatment chamber being positioned proximate thefirst end of the central channel, so that the positive flow is directedprimarily toward the first end of the central channel.

In some configurations, a housing is positioned below the treatmentchamber. The housing is structurally configured to retain a portion ofthe pouch outside of the treatment chamber while a portion of the pouchextends through the central channel and into the treatment chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 of the drawings is a top perspective view of the pouch cleaningassembly of the present disclosure, as configured for use in associationwith a filler, such as an aseptic filler;

FIG. 2 of the drawings is a cross-sectional perspective view of thepouch cleaning assembly of the present disclosure, showing, inparticular, the manifold, and taken generally about lines 2-2 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 3 of the drawings is a bottom perspective view of the pouchcleaning assembly of the present disclosure, as configured for use inassociation with a filler, such as an aseptic filler;

FIG. 4 of the drawings is a perspective view of the aseptic pouch fillerhaving the pouch cleaning assembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 of the drawings is a side elevational view of an aseptic pouchfiller having the pouch cleaning assembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 of the drawings is a perspective view of the pouch assembly ofthe type that is configured to be directed through the pouch cleaningassembly and structured for use therewith;

FIG. 7 of the drawings is a side elevational view of the pouch cleaningassembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 of the drawings is a cross-sectional view of the pouch cleaningassembly of the present disclosure, taken generally about lines 8-8 ofFIG. 7;

FIG. 9 of the drawings is a cross-sectional view of the pouch cleaningassembly of the present disclosure, taken generally about lines 2-2 ofFIG. 7;

FIG. 10 of the drawings is a cross-sectional view of the pouch cleaningassembly of the present disclosure, taken generally about lines 10-10 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 11 of the drawings is a perspective view of the surround of thetreatment chamber of the pouch cleaning assembly of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 12 of the drawings is a perspective view of the manifold of thepouch cleaning assembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 of the drawings is a top plan view of the base of the treatmentchamber along with the guide assembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 of the drawings is a front elevational view of the base of thetreatment chamber along with the guide assembly of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 15 of the drawings is a second embodiment of the guide assembly ofthe present disclosure, showing, essentially vertical undulations whichvertically provide relative movement between adjacent pouches;

FIG. 16 of the drawings is a top plan view of adjacent pouches withinthe guide assembly, showing, in particular, the relative position ofadjacent pouches as the pouches progress through the undulations definedin the channel of the guide assembly; and

FIG. 17 of the drawings is a top plan view of adjacent pouches withinthe guide assembly, showing, in particular, the relative position ofadjacent pouches as the pouches progress through the undulations definedin the channel of the guide assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms, there is shown in the drawings and described herein in detail aspecific embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosureis to be considered as an exemplification and is not intended to belimited to the embodiment illustrated.

It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components,referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings by likereference characters. In addition, it will be understood that thedrawings are merely schematic representations of the invention, and someof the components may have been distorted from actual scale for purposesof pictorial clarity.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 3,pouch cleaning assembly 10 for an aseptic filler, such as aseptic filler100 (FIGS. 4 and 5) is shown. The aseptic filler, for filling an asepticpouch, includes, in addition to the pouch cleaning assembly 10,cartridge filling assembly 112 upstream thereof and pouch fill assembly116 and pouch capping assembly 118 downstream thereof. The asepticpouch, which will be described below with reference to FIG. 6, isdirected sequentially through each of the foregoing assemblies so as tobe cleaned and filled. The pouch cleaning assembly directs the cleanedpouch into the pouch fill assembly which is maintained within an asepticzone. It will be understood that an aseptic zone comprises a zone thatis under a positive flow of sterilized gas (typically sterilized air),and that has been cleaned to aseptic standards such as those disclosedin Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations pertaining to thermallyprocessed low acid foods packaged in hermetically sealed containersoverseen by the U.S. FDA, as well as 3-A Sanitary Standards, Inc. andEuropean Hygienic Engineering and Design Group (EHEDG) Standards.

A typical pouch with which the system is associated is shown in FIG. 6generally at 200. The pouch 200 includes body 201 and spout 210. Thebody 201 includes first side panel 202, second side panel 203, lowergusset structure 206. The first side panel, the second side panel andthe lower gusset structure are coupled together through seals 208 toform cavity 205 configured to retain a flowable material, such as afoodstuff or the like. In many configurations, the gusset structure 206provides a base surface from which the pouch can be in a standupconfiguration. Of course, in other configurations, the pouch can beformed from a plurality of panels greater than two panels or from asingle panel along with a plurality of folds, wherein the panelscooperate to form the gusset at the lower end thereof. Furthermore,additional structures or gussets (such as side gussets) or gussetlessconstructions are likewise contemplated). Typically, the cavity is onthe order of 60 ml to 500 ml in size. More preferably, the cavity is onthe order of 60 ml and 180 ml in size, and more preferably, the cavityis on the order of 90 ml to 120 ml. Of course, variations arecontemplated, and the foregoing cavity volumes are exemplary only, andnot considered to be limiting. Prior to introduction into the cartridgefilling assembly, the pouches have been sterilized through gammasterilization or the like. As such, the cavities are free of pathogens,and are a sterile environment. The plug has a hermetic seal therebyprecluding the passage of material into (or out of) the spout.Generally, such pouches are formed from a multi-layer polymer structurethat may include metal or metallized layers, and which may beco-extruded and/or laminated. As will be understood, the pouch (in acapped configuration) is pre-sterilized prior to introduction intofiller equipment through, for example, gamma, x-ray, e-beam or othersterilization process, such that the internal cavity of the pouch isfree of pathogens and a sterile environment.

Spout 210 is shown as comprising attachment flange 212, outlet tube 214and grasping flanges 216. The attachment flange is typically sandwichedbetween the first and second side panels and sealed thereto. The outlettube 214 provides communication with the cavity 205 and provides themeans by which to insert or remove flowable material to and from thecavity. In the configuration shown, the outlet tube 214 is capped with aplug 220 which may extend over the outer surface of the outlet tube 214or within the confines of the outlet tube to preclude access to thecavity 205. It will be understood that a hermetic seal is formed betweenthe plug and the outlet tube through an interference fit. The graspingflanges 216 extend about the outside of the outlet tube. The graspingflanges provide slots and channels by which the pouch can be grasped,retained, handled, and/or captured by different components of thefilling equipment. In the configuration shown, the grasping flangesinclude outwardly convex side surfaces which, as will be explainedbelow, are advantageous by limiting contact between adjacentlypositioned abutting pouches within the pouch cleaning assembly. One suchconfiguration of the pouch assembly is shown in co-pending applicationentitled “Pouch Assembly Having A Plug” and filed as U.S. applicationSer. No. 14/860,689, the entire specification of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 through 3 the pouch cleaning assembly 10 isshown as comprising treatment chamber 12, manifold 14, guide assembly 16and housing 18. The treatment chamber 12 includes base 20 and surround22. With reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, the base includes upper surface24, lower surface 26 and is a substantially elongated planarconfiguration, wherein the base defines an elongated central channel 28.The channel 28 extends from first end 30 to second end 32, and includesfirst side 34 and second side 36. In the configuration shown, the firstside 34 and the second side 36 are substantially parallel to each otherso as to define a substantially uniform channel therebetween. It will beunderstood that the guide assembly is coupled thereto. The base definesthe lower end of the treatment zone. It will further be understood thata portion of the spout of the pouch extends above the base with theremainder of the spout and the body being positioned below the base.

The surround 22 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 11 as comprisingupper wall 40, first side wall 42, second side wall 44, first end wall46 and second end wall 48. With reference to FIG. 2, the surroundessentially encapsulates the central channel 28 in a spaced apartorientation. Referring again to FIG. 11, in the configuration shown, thesurround is substantially uniform in cross-section, with the upper wall40 being substantially parallel to the upper surface of the base 20. Thefirst and second side walls depend from the upper wall and extend to thebase. In the configuration shown, the side walls include an upperoblique surface, a lower perpendicular surface and a base flange. Itwill be understood that the surround 22 defines the upper confines ofthe treatment zone (cooperatively with the base). The second end wall 48provides closure to the treatment zone at the second end of the surround22, substantially sealingly engaging the surround 22 and the base 20.Openings, such as opening 49 extend through the surround 22 (and in thecase of the opening 49, on the upper wall 40 thereof). A nozzle forinjecting cleaning fluid can be positioned so as to extend through theopening 49. In the configuration shown, the opening 49 is positionedproximate the second end of the surround with the direction of the flowto be toward the first end of the surround, and in a direction generallyaway from the pouch fill assembly 116.

With reference to FIG. 2, the manifold 14 is positioned between the base20 and the surround 22. The manifold 14 generally follows theconfiguration of the surround 22 while being spaced apart therefrom.With additional reference to FIG. 10, the manifold extends from secondend 62 to first end 61, wherein, the second end substantiallycorresponds to the second end of the surround, and wherein the first end61 is spaced apart from the first end 46 of the surround 22. Withreference to FIG. 12, the manifold 14 includes top wall 64, first sidewall 66 and second side wall 68. The top wall 64 substantiallycorresponds to the upper wall 40 of the surround 22. The first sidewall66 substantially corresponds to the first sidewall 42 of the surround22. The second side wall 68 substantially corresponds to the secondsidewall 44 of the surround 22 (see FIG. 11). A front wall 69 ispositioned between the manifold and the surround proximate the first end60 thereof. As is shown in FIG. 10, the front wall 69 effectively sealsthe manifold and the surround 22 proximate the first end thereof, so asto define a manifold cavity 71.

It will be understood that in other configurations, the surround mayhave a different cross-sectional shape, such as, for example, a circularor semi-circular configuration, a square configuration, a polygonalconfiguration or the like. It has been found that the shape presentedcooperates with the shape of the manifold to cooperatively directsterilizing cleaning fluid in the desired orientation or the desireddirection. It will further be understood that in other configurations,the cross-sectional configuration may be altered along the lengththereof. In addition, it is contemplated that the configuration of thesurround may be such that the surround side walls taper and meet at thesecond end, instead of having an end wall at the second end.

The guide assembly 16 is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 as including firstside guide bar 80, second side guide bar 82 defining channel 84therebetween. The first guide bar 80 includes inner edge 85 and thesecond guide bar 82 includes inner edge 87. It will be understood thatthe pouch is suspended by the opposing guide bars at the opposing edgesthereof. In such a configuration, at least a portion of the spoutextends above the guide bars and into the channel 84. In theconfiguration shown, the first and second guide bars are substantiallyplanar and, as such, the channel is substantially planar. Preferably,the channel configuration is such that the spouts of adjacent (and oftentouching) pouches alter position of the contact as they travel along thechannel from the first end to the second end, so that the points ofcontact change, which then effectuates improved cleaning of the surfaces(by exposing previous points of contact). As a result, while the guidebars are substantially planar, the channel is preferably not linearbetween the first end and the second end. For example, between the firstand second end, the channel is defined by a plurality of back and forthline segments that essentially create an undulating channel, whilesubstantially maintaining the width of the channel so as to properlysupport the grasping spout of the pouch (it will be understood thatvariations in the channel are permitted, as long as the spouts remainsupported and do not irretrievably fall out of the channel). In theconfiguration shown, the line segments are generally substantiallylinear and are oblique to each other forming a back and forth pattern.In other configurations, the channel may comprise a curvedconfiguration, such as a sinusoidal pattern or the like. In still otherconfigurations, a combination of linear and curved configurations arecontemplated to form the undulations, as well as arbitrary shapes, withthe understanding that such a configuration of the channel (that is backand forth undulation) will alter the point of contact between adjacentpouches positioned therealong. In the configuration shown, the guidebars may be separate components that are coupled to the base, whereas,in other configurations, the guide assembly may be integrally formedwith the base or the surround of the treatment chamber.

Additionally, elongated grooves 88, 89 are positioned along the side ofeach of the inner edges 85 and 87 and extend at least partially betweenthe first and second ends of the guide assembly. The elongated groovesextend into the surface of the first and second guide bars, and arespaced apart from the inner edges so that when a spout is positionedwithin the channel 84, a portion of the grasping flange (in theconfiguration shown, the upper grasping flange) extends over theelongated grooves. As such, when the cleaning fluid is directed throughthe chamber, some of the cleaning fluid is directed into the elongatedgrooves and toward the lower surface of the grasping flange, to, inturn, clean the lower side of the grasping flange. The combination ofthe undulations of the channel, and the position of the elongatedgrooves, the underside of the grasping flange is likewise exposed tocleaning fluid, and in turn, cleaned. It will be understood that theunderside surface is placed within the aseptic zone, and, as such, is tobe sterilized.

In another configuration, shown in FIG. 15, the channel comprisesopposing guide bars that include undulations in the form of verticalsurface alterations. In the configuration shown, the opposing guide barsinclude a vertically undulating (or curved surface). Such a surfaceallows for vertical (up and down) motion of the pouches, and relativemotion between the pouches. Such a configuration further allows for thecleaning fluid to be directed between the pouch and the undulations andadditionally at the lower surface of the upper one of the graspingflanges. As such, cleaning fluid reaches the required areas, and, at thesame time, the relative movement of adjacent pouches allows for thevariation of the contact point for the adjacent pouches, and allows forcleaning fluid to be directed below the upper surface of the upper oneof the grasping flanges. It is further contemplated that suchundulations may include both vertical and horizontal component whereinthe spouts of the pouches will have relative movement in multipledimensions relative to adjacent pouches, which may include inclinedmovement, left and right as well as up and down movement and/or atwisting movement. With such an undulation, the relative points ofcontact between adjacent spouts (or other components positioned withinthe treatment chamber) are altered along the channel so as to expose thesame to the cleaning preparation. In other words, the channel isundulating in at least one of a vertical and a horizontal direction(i.e., the undulation may have horizontal and vertical components ofmovement) along the length thereof sufficient so as to substantiallyexpose the relative points of contact between adjacent ones of theplurality of spouts so as to expose the same to the cleaningpreparation.

With reference to FIGS. 3, 7 and 8, housing 18 may extend below the base20 and may envelope the remainder of the pouch that does not extend intoand above the central channel 28 of the base 20 of the treatment chamber12. The housing 18 includes side walls 90, 92 and base wall 93. The sidewalls 90, 92 are positioned on opposite sides of each other and aresubstantially parallel to each other. That is, the side wall 90 extendsfrom the lower surface of the base on one side thereof and extendsbetween the first and second ends thereof. The side wall 92 extends fromthe lower surface on the opposite side thereof from the side wall 90 andextends between the first and second ends thereof. An access opening,such as side door 94 may be provided for both visual inspection of theinside of the cavity formed thereby, and for access thereto. In theconfiguration shown, the side door is hingedly mounted to the side walland covers an opening formed in the side wall. A closure member in theform of a threaded knob facilitates selective closing and opening of theside door 94. While the side door 94 is shown as being transparent,other configurations are contemplated. It is also contemplated thatmultiple openings may be presented.

The base wall 93 extends across between the side walls 90, 92 so as toenclose the bottom end of the cavity. The base wall is generallyparallel to the base 20 of the treatment chamber 12 and spaced aparttherefrom. The side walls 90, 92 are generally parallel to each other aswell and spaced apart from each other. Together, the base 20, the sidewalls 90, 92 and the base wall 93 define the cavity for the remainder ofthe pouch that is not extended into the treatment chamber. Thecross-sectional configuration of the cavity substantially matches theconfiguration of the pouch such that the pouch can travel therethroughwithout generally impinging on the side walls or on the bottom wall,even as the pouch transitions back and forth. A door 96 may bepositioned across the base wall 93 to provide ingress into the cavityfrom below, or for purposes of drainage. Additionally, an exhaustopening 95 may be presented in the bottom surface which is coupled to asuction device, for example, so as to direct air or other gasses, orliquids out of the cavity and to further draw the cleaning preparationinto the treatment chamber, and, to, in turn, direct the flow of thecleaning preparation from the second end toward the first end of thetreatment chamber.

In operation, the pouches are provided sequentially to the pouchcleaning assembly. It will be understood that the manner in which thepouches are sequentially provided can be varied without departing fromthe scope of the disclosure. As the pouches are provided, they aredirected to the first end of the treatment chamber. In particular, thepouches matingly engage with the guide assembly 16 so as to be capturedthereby and so as to be slidably positionable therealong. In theconfiguration shown, the spout includes grasping flanges 216 (FIG. 6)that interface with the guide assembly, and in particular, the inneredges of the first and second guide bars. Initially, the pouch ispositioned proximate the first end of the guide assembly (and, in turn,the central channel 28).

With reference to FIGS. 1 through 3 and 7 through 9, with a portion ofthe spout of the pouch extending into the treatment chamber, theremainder of the pouch (that is, the body thereof) extends into thecavity formed by the side walls 90, 92, the base wall 93 and the lowersurface 26 of the base 20. Generally, the configuration is such that thepouch is generally perpendicular to each of the walls.

As successive pouches are introduced, the pouches abut each other so asto move along through the treatment chamber. It will be understood thatin the configuration shown, it is desirable that the pouches contactadjoining pouches about the grasping flange or other structure, whereinthe contact can be minimized. In the configuration shown, contact ispreferably maintained along a point that is where the curvedconfigurations of the adjacent grasping flanges meet.

As each pouch moves along the channel 84 defined by the guide assembly,the pouches undulate toward and away from the opposing sides of the base(that is, toward and away from opposing side walls). As the pouches movealong the channel, the point of contact between the adjacent poucheschanges as the pouches are moving relative to each other in a side toside manner as they extend along the length thereof. As such, a previouspoint of contact between adjacent pouches becomes exposed, and apreviously exposed portion becomes the point of contact between pouches.For example, as is shown in FIG. 16, the spouts 210 a, 210 b, 210 c and210 d are proximate a region where the channel changes direction (inthis case from a direction toward the second guide bar to a directiontoward the first guide bar). In such a configuration, the spouts ofpouches 210 a and 210 b abut generally centrally along the outer convexshape of the grasping flanges. Similarly, the spouts of the pouches 210c and 210 d abut generally centrally along the outer convex shape of thegrasping flanges. On the contrary, the spouts of the pouches 210 b and210 c abut in an offset fashion, that is, slightly off center. That is,the central portion of the spout 210 c is contacting to the left of thecentral portion of the spout 210 b. Thus, at the very least, the centralportion of the spout 210 b is fully exposed and can be cleaned by thecleaning preparation.

Focusing now on FIG. 17, the same spouts are reaching another regionwherein the pouches are directed back toward the second guide bar afterbeing directed toward the first guide bar. In such an orientation, thespouts 210 a and 210 b abut generally about the center of the outerconvex shape of the grasping flanges. The spouts 210 c and 210 d abut ina slightly offset fashion, the central region of the spout 210 c is tothe right of the central region of the spout 210 d. The spout 210 b andspout 210 c abut in an offset fashion; the central region of the spout210 b abuts to the right of the central region of the spout 210 c.Between the movements of the spouts 210 a through 210 d, each portion ofthe spout (and the grasping flanges that form the abuttingconfiguration) are exposed to the cleaning preparation. Of course,further undulations, or undulations in different shapes and orientation(that is, up and down, left and right, or both) can achieve the exposureof the surfaces of the spout that are within the treatment chamber 12.

The process of insertion can continue sequentially pouch after pouchbeing introduced into the first end of the treatment chamber.Eventually, the pouches reach the second end of the treatment chamber.Along the chamber, the pouches undulate from side to side along thechannel toward the second end. As the pouches exit the second end, theyare directed into a filler, for example, such as aseptic filler 100 ofFIG. 4, which is disclosed in co-pending application entitled “RotaryFilling Device For Aseptic Filling of Pouches” and filed as U.S.application Ser. No. 14/860,686 the entire specification of which ishereby incorporated by reference.

At the same time that the pouches are directed along the guide assembly18 from the first end to the second end of the treatment chamber 12, theportion of the pouches that are positioned within the treatment chamber12 are exposed to chemical treatment, through, for example, a cleaningpreparation (in the form of a vapor, a liquid, a gas or a combinationthereof). In the configuration shown, it is contemplated that a hydrogenperoxide vapor is transmitted through the treatment chamber at anelevated temperature in a directed manner to clean the surfaces of thepouch. In other configurations, different fluids and mechanisms may beutilized in order to effectuate cleaning. That is, gasses, or othercombinations of gasses, vapors, liquids and the like can be utilized.

In particular, the different cleaning preparations are directed throughthe openings 49 of the surround 22. The cleaning solutions enter themanifold cavity 71 and are bounded by the second end wall 48, the frontwall 69 and the manifold and surround. Continued insertion of cleaningsolutions, combined with the relative pressure difference between themanifold cavity 71 and the cavity within the surround outside of themanifold cavity direct the cleaning preparation through the openings 72,74 and toward and into contact with the pouches that are positionedwithin the central channel 28. The cleaning preparation, preferably,again due to the relative pressures and flow properties, is directedgenerally away from the second end of the surround and toward the firstend of the surround, and eventually through the outlet 95 (FIG. 3).Within the treatment chamber, the cleaning preparation is in a positiveflow so as to be directed therein and therethrough. Due to thevariations in the position of the pouches, and the time that the pouchesare present within the treatment chamber, the cleaning preparationeffectively contacts the entirety of the spout portion that ismaintained within the treatment zone. In addition, as the relativeposition of adjacent pouches is varied, the contact region betweenadjacent pouches is likewise cleaned. Additionally, some of the cleaningpreparations are directed into the elongated grooves 88, 89 so as to beexposed to the lower surface of the grasping flanges.

Eventually, the pouches exit from the second end of the treatmentchamber 12, the pouch is directed into the filling equipment. Thepouches have been sanitized so as to be sterile and are prepared fordirection into an aseptic filler, for example, of the type disclosed inthe above identified co-pending application.

The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the inventionand the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as the appendedclaims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have thedisclosure before them will be able to make modifications withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of cleaning a plurality of pouches, themethod comprising the steps of: (a) providing a treatment chamber havingopposing guide bars defining an elongated channel therebetween with aregion above the opposing guide bars and having a first end and a secondend; (b) providing a plurality of pouches, each pouch having a spoutwith a grasping flange and an opening; (c) sequentially directing eachof the plurality of pouches through the elongated channel, byinterfacing the spout of each of the plurality of pouches with theopposing guide bars, and having each subsequent pouch contact the priorspout to push the same along the elongated channel; and (d) directing acleaning fluid at each of the pouches within the treatment chamber,wherein the totality of the portion of the pouches within the treatmentchamber is exposed and free of contact with an adjacent one of theplurality of pouches at at least one point within the treatment chamber.2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of sequentially directingfurther comprises the step of relatively moving adjacent ones of theplurality of pouches relative to each other, to, in turn alter a pointof contact therebetween.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the step ofrelatively moving further comprises the step of horizontally relativelymoving adjacent ones of the plurality of pouches relative to each other.4. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of relatively moving furthercomprises the step of horizontally relatively moving adjacent ones ofthe plurality of pouches relative to each other in at least a firsthorizontal direction and a second horizontal direction opposite of thefirst horizontal direction.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step ofrelatively moving further comprises the step of vertically relativelymoving adjacent ones of the plurality of pouches relative to each other.6. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of relatively moving furthercomprises the step of vertically moving adjacent ones of the pluralityof pouches relative to each other in at least a first vertical directionand a second vertical direction opposite the first vertical direction.7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of providingpositive flow within the treatment chamber during the step ofsequentially directing.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein a portion ofthe pouch is outside of the treatment chamber.
 9. The method of claim 8wherein a portion of the spout is within the treatment chamber, with aportion of the spout being outside of the treatment chamber.
 10. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the cleaning fluid is at least one of a vapor,a liquid and a gas.
 11. A method of cleaning a plurality of pouches, themethod comprising: (a) providing a treatment chamber having opposingguide bars defining an elongated channel therebetween with a regionabove the opposing guide bars and having a first end and a second end;(b) providing a plurality of pouches, each pouch having a spout with agrasping flange and an opening; (c) sequentially directing each of theplurality of pouches through the elongated channel, from the first endto the second end, with at least a portion of the grasping flangeinterfacing with each of the opposing guide bars, so that a portion ofthe spout having the opening is positioned in the region above theopposing guide bars, wherein each subsequent spout contacts a priorspout to push the same along the elongated channel; (d) undulating eachof the pouches in at least one of a horizontal and a vertical direction,to, in turn, alter a point of contact between each adjacent spoutbetween the first and second ends thereof; and (e) directing a cleaningfluid at each of the pouches within the treatment chamber as theplurality of pouches proceeds from the first end to the second end. 12.The method of claim 11 wherein the step of undulating further comprisesthe step of undulating in a horizontal direction.
 13. The method ofclaim 11 wherein the step of directing a cleaning fluid furthercomprises the step of continuously directing a cleaning fluid throughoutthe treatment chamber between the first and second ends thereof.
 14. Themethod of claim 11 wherein the step of directing a cleaning fluidfurther comprises the step of directing a cleaning fluid onto a surfaceof each of the plurality of pouches that is in contact with the opposingguide bars of the treatment chamber.
 15. The method of claim 11 whereina portion of the pouch is outside of the treatment chamber.
 16. Themethod of claim 15 wherein a portion of the spout is within thetreatment chamber, with a portion of the spout being outside of thetreatment chamber.
 17. The method of claim 11 wherein each of theopposing guide bars have an upper surface which includes undulations,wherein the step of undulating each of the pouches comprises the step ofundulating each of the pouches in a vertical direction.
 18. The methodof claim 11 further comprising the step of providing positive flowwithin the treatment chamber during the step of sequentially directing.19. The method of claim 11 wherein the cleaning fluid is at least one ofa vapor, a liquid and a gas.